It’s another week full of free music events, as well as exciting gigs from both visiting and resident artists. Note that the Aquatennial celebration goes from Wednesday to Saturday, though, as far as I can tell, there are no music events. So… let’s get to it. Music lifts the Spirit.

John Pizzarelli @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($35, $45), 9pm ($25, $35) His stories are as charming as his guitar playing is “madly creative,” as the LA Times called it. Pizzarelli is renowned around the world for his jazz guitartistly, and makes good use of the Great American Songbook, as well as Paul McCartney’s compositions. His latest project celebrates Sinatra’s album with Jobim.

For more listings, KBEM provides a calendar of jazz and roots music. For further commentary on Twin Cities jazz, check out the blogs, Jazz Police and Bebopified.

Blues, Roots, Other…

Wednesday, July 18

Pigs Lite on The House Party (KFAI, 90.3FM), and @ The 331 Club, Minneapolis. 5pm (KFAI), 7pm (331 Club – Tip Jar) Randy Webb and Dave Rabb of the Front Porch Swinging Liquor Pigs are joined by percussionist Tony Paul on Friday nights at Palmer’s. They make a rare, mid-week appearance tonight.

Jenny & the Mexicats @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($32, $37, $42) Cumbias, salsas, and other Mexican-oriented music (along with some songs in English) delivered with swing by a quartet led by a Spanish-speaking Brit who plays trumpet as well as sings. All delivered with a bit of cheekiness.

Wednesday, Thursday, July 18, 19

Cantus Summer Chamber Series @ American Swedish Institute, Wed, July 18, 7pm; Thursday, July19 @ The Museum of Russian Art, 7pm ($20 Adults, $10 Children for both performances) The eight-man ensemble presents Songs My Mother Taught Me: folk songs that are an integral part of the American experience and our cultural heritage.

Mini Music Fest @ The Science Museum of Minnesota, Saint Paul. 6pm – 10 pm ($20, SCM & MPR Members, $25 Non-Members) Fourteen, count ‘em, 14 bands, performing on 5 stages, including such acts as Ben Cook-Feitz, James Rene of School for Girls, Jaedyn James & the Hunger, Toussaint Morrison, and Nooky Jones. They are part of this Social Science event, as it’s called. You get music that ranges from rock to hip-hop, folk, and funk, while being surrounded by dinosaurs and other exhibits. FMI go here.

Thursday July19 – Sunday July 22

Marc Norberg’s book, Black & White Blues.

Black & White Blues by Marc Norberg @ Show Gallery Lowertown, 364 N. Sibley Street, Saint Paul. (Free) The Minnesota Museum of Art is presenting this show in conjunction with the Lowertown Blues and Funk Fest, featuring thirty of photographer Marc Norberg’s marvelous portraits of blues artists who played in the Twin Cities (mostly at Wilebski’s) between 1982 and 1995. There’s an opening reception on Thursday from 6-9pm, with a cash bar and live music by Erik Christenson at 7pm.

Graham Parker, Belfast Cowboys @ Brit’s Pub, Minneapolis. 6pm (No Cover) It’s Fredstock at Brits, celebrating 90 year old Sir Freddie Manton, and Brits is bringing back British rock Legend Graham Parker for a solo show at 6, though he may be joined for a couple of songs by members of the Belfast Cowboys, who take the stage at 8pm. Arrive at 3pm, and you can catch the Actors Theater doing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). It all takes place at the Pub’s rooftop garden.

Kashimana @ The Landmark Center, Saint Paul. Noon – 1pm (Free) Singer/songwriter Kashimana was born in Nigeria and moved to Kenya with her family when she was 8, where she lived until coming to the Twin Cities to go to college. She has a warm presence and sings catchy, simple songs in a soulful voice

For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the MN Blues Society calendar. For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar.

Let the Festival season begin in earnest. This Sunday will feature Grand Old Day, with a variety of artists performing on a number of different stages, as well as a smaller big band festival in Eden Prairie. If not, there is still plenty of great music to enjoy, including visiting artists from England, and some appearances by resident artists who don’t perform too often. Lots of reasons to enjoy music: It lifts the spirit.

Jazz

Wednesday, June 3

Southside Big Band @ Como Dockside Pavillion, Saint Paul. 7pm – 8:30pm (Free) It may shower this evening, but that needn’t stop you from enjoying some big band music under the pavilion at Como Park. Plus, you can always step inside to the new dockside and order food and drinks.

Manzara & Reeve @ Jazz Central, Minneapolis. 7pm ($10 Suggested Donation) Julian Manzara on electric guitar and Robert Reeve on trumpet and flugelhorn, make for an unusual duet. They have been performing jazz standards around town for a couple of years now.

Dave King’s PBR Street Gang @ Studio Z, Saint Paul. 7pm ($10) Hoo boy, this group only plays a few times a year, so this is a great occasion to catch some of the Twin Cities’ finest players. Dean Granros, guitar; Dave King drums; Brandon Wozniak, sax; and Anthony Cox, bass and cello.

Saturday Night Jazz @ The Blackdog Coffee & Wine Bar, Minneapolis. 7pm ($5 – $20 Suggested Donation) It’s another double bill of powerhouse jazz at Lowertown’s community meeting place. Opening at 7pm is bassist Ted Olsen and his Group. Then at 8:30pm it’s the Five: Dave Karr, sax; Steve Kenny, trumpet; Mikkel Romstad, piano; Ryan Hays, bass; and Kenny Horst, drums. The members of this inter-generational group range in age from 20s to 80s, making for some exciting music.

Sunday, June 7

The bones of the Jazz on the Prairie Big Band

25th Annual Festival of Jazz on the Praire @ Staring Lake Amphitheater, Eden Prairie. 2pm – 9pm (Free) A cornucopia of big bands, just the thing for a Sunday afternoon. 2pm: Just Friends Big Band; 3pm: Acme Jazz Company; 4pm: Ben in the River Big Band; 5pm: Good News Big Band; 6pm: River City Jazz Orchestra; 7pm: Jazz on the Prairie Big Band

Monday, June 8

Paul Mazzacano & the Mazz Jazz Juggernaut @ Town Green Amphitheater, Maple Grove. 8 – 10pm (Free) Mazzacano is a percussionist/drummer arranger composer, and educator, whose credits range from the Dorseys and Charlie Barnett to Roy Eldridge, Liberace, Elvis Presley, Broadway productions and staff work for both CBS and NBC networks. Not sure of the Juggernaut, but judging by the name, and the fact that Mazzacano has composed of number of pieces for orchestra, it could be a large, and exciting, group.

Eric Wangensteen @ Jazz Central, Minneapolis. 8:30pm ($10 Suggested Donation) This trumpeter has toured with Bette Midler, released four CDs played in over 20 countries. Though a graduate of the UofM at Duluth, you may not know of hims, since he spends his winters playing in Uruguay, recently playing with paquito D’Rivera for three years at the Uruguay International Jazz Festival.

Chris Bates’ Good Vibes Trio @ the Icehouse, Minneapolis. 9:30pm ($8) Here is a group that always has a good time on stage. Their level of communication with each other is just about telepathic. Bates, bass; Dave hagedorn, vibes; Phil Hey, drums.

Blues, Roots, Other….

Wednesday, June 3

Andy Cohen on KFAI and @ The 331 Club, Minneapolis. 5pm (90.3 & 106.7FM), 7pm (331 Club – Tip Jar) Cohen is a virtuoso guitar player and folklorist from Memphis who mines a number of different blues traditions, and has gained fans throughout the country, including many of this area’s fingerpickers. He’s also a great storyteller, having written about many of his musical heroes, and toured with old masters such as Martin, Bogan, & Armstrong, Rev. Gary Davis, and Honeyboy Edwards. It’s a treat to have him stop in town.

Thursday, June 4

World Party @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($40) Well crafted pop from a band which has been around since their 1986 hit Ship of Fools. Frontman Karl Wallinger experienced an aneurysm in 2001, but after some rehabilitation and hard work is back. Critics all seem to agree that Wallinger manages to be a lyrical as some of our best songwriters, such as The Beatles, Beach Boys, and Dylan.

Claudia Schmidt & Dean Magraw @ The Gingko Coffeehouse, Saint Paul. 7:30pm ($20 + tax) It’s a birthday celebration for the celebrated folk/jazz singer Ms Schmidt and once again, she has the supple guitar of Dean Magraw for support. It’s always fun when these two long-time compadres get together. For example:

Friday, June 5

Steve Clarke & the Working Stiffs @ Mendota Square, The Village of Mendota Heights. 6pm (Free) Clarke is one of those saxophonists that most R&B bands welcome to sit in and add some punch to proceedings. He and the Working Stiffs play dance music from the 30s to the 50s, including things from Count Basie, Billie Holliday, Bill Haley, and Elvis.

Graham Parker & The Rumour @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($55 – $65) In the late 70s, Parker broke out of the pub rock scene in England, combining the energy and spark of punk rock with his love for American R&B. Two of his albums with the Rumour are in Rolling Stones’ Top 100 Albums of all time from 1987. Parker favorite Lowell Thompson opens.

Pop Wagner & the Dumpy Jug Bumpers @ Palmer’s, Minneapolis. 10pm (No Cover) It’s an old-timer evening at the West Bank dive bar. The Bumpers will perform Jug band music. Pop Wagner will perform old cowboy music, as well as some country and pop tunes, and then they’ll perform together.

Saturday, June 6

Charlie Lawson & the Natural Born Lovers @ Barely Brothers Records, Saint Paul. 2pm (Free) Mike and Spencer, the “barely brothers” are once again enticing record buyers into their store with some free music, this time by long time Twin Cities guitarist/vocalist Lawson and his band.

Grateful Red @ Lake Harriet Bandshell, Minneapolis. 7:30pm – 9:30pm. (Free) This horn-driven funk/rock/pop band will provide the backdrop for your picnic in the area just north of the bandshell, or you can get closer and sit on benches and simply enjoy the music (dancing may occur).

Hurricane Harold’s All Star Blues Revue @ Neumann’s, North Saint Paul. 8pm (Tip Jar) Harpist Harold gathers up a few of his very talented friends for an evening of rompin’ stompin’ blues.

Jarrod Lawson @ The Icehouse, Minneapolis. 9pm ($25/$20 Advance) “The Hottest New Talent to hit soul music in at least ten years.” That’s what some English magazines have said about blue-eyed soulster Lawson whose debut at Ronnie Scott’s was sold out and then broadcast on a live web stream. He’ll be playing with some of the Petersons – St. Paul on bass, Ricky on keys, and JP DeLaire on sax, as well as other special guests

Sunday, June 7

Music @ Grand Old Day, Saint Paul. 12:30 – 4:30pm (Free) You can kick off summer and experience a variety of bands at the Midwest’s biggest one day festival. Highlights include Charlie Parr (12PM) and Erik Koskinen (2:15pm) at Dixie’s on Grand; The Cactus Blossoms (12:30pm) and Crankshaft (2pm) at Walgreens; and country party guy Tim Sigler at the Wild Onion at 3pm. There are other bands as well, and if you want to listen while enjoying adult beverages in the Festival Gardens adjoining each stage you’ll need a wristband ($8).

Cooker John @ Como Dockside Pavillion, Saint Paul. 3pm (Free) Guitarist and folk/blues musician Cooker John learned to pick from Artie Traum back in 60s New York. Since then he’s been in a variety of bands around the country, but has performed solo (sometimes with an accompanist) since 1990.

Monday, June 8

Hunker’d Down Blues Band @ Rice Park, Saint Paul. Noon (Free) It’s Blue Monday at Rice Park, but that doesn’t mean you have to be blue. Take a break and enjoy this five-piece while chowing down on lunch.

For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the MN Blues Society calendar. For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar. Dancers might want to check out the calendar for U Wanna Dance.

To paraphrase a well-known storyteller, it’s a quiet week here in the Twin Cities, what with Christmas on Tuesday. No matter what your tradition, or what you celebrate, or even if you don’t celebrate at all, I hope this finds you in good spirits. Unfortunately, we’ve been soundly reminded that this season isn’t always a happy one for many. Keep your heart open, and your thoughts and actions kind. And let music move your spirits.

Jazz

Thursday, December 19

Maude Hixson & French 75 @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm (No cover) Continental jazz with the ever-so-cool vocals of Ms Hixson. Continental jazz as in songs from the Great American Songbook that actually have pedigrees from Britain, France, and other countries. Since it’s foodie night at the Dakota, you can be sure both performers and the restaurant will be working to make things tres chic. Eh, what.

Laura Underwood @ The 3rd Floor, 579 Selby, Saint Paul. 8pm ($5?) Underwood is a vocalist who can put a fine interpretation on a much recorded jazz song, and turn around and give new life to a blues standard.

Friday, December 21

Irv Williams and Peter Schimke @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 4pm – 6pm (Free) Once you’re through with some of your last minute shopping on Nicollet Mall, head over to the Dakota for the often soothing, but always imaginative sounds of 93 year old Irv Williams on saxophone, accompanied by the younger, but equally talented Peter Schimke on piano.

Dave Karr Quartet @ The Artists’ Quarter, Saint Paul. 9pm ($10) Whether he’s playing tenor, flute, or baritone, the octogenarian Karr shows no sign of slowing down. He can always be depended upon to pull a bebop gem out of his axe.

Saturday, December 22

Deck the Halls with JoAnn Funk @ The Saint Paul Hotel Lobby Bar, Saint Paul. 7pm – 11pm (Free) JoAnn Funk (vocals, piano) and Jeff Brueske (bass) are joined by Gary Shulte (violin) and baritone Steve Marking, who will be singing O Holy Night and some other carols. JoAnn will stick to the lighter side of Christmas songs, and some gems from her usual repertoire of jazz standards, Blossom Dearie, and a few surprise choices.

Blues, Roots, Other…

Wednesday, December 19

Graham Parker & Rumour @ Fitzgerald Theater, Saint Paul. 7:30pm ($37) The pub rocker from the 70s returns with his original group and their first album in 31 years – Three Chord Good. Parker was always a snarling singer, but one who knew how to craft melodies that would grab you, and a good ear for a soulful cover like “Hold Back the Night.” He plays himself in “This is 40,” Judd Aptow’s new move, where he sings a duet and with his group. The movie is being released Friday.

Thursday, December 20

Fathom Lane, Bethany Larson & the Bees Knees, and Actual Wolf @ Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis. 7:30pm ($10 advance/$15 door) A trio of country-rockish performers. Bethany Larson’s gorgeous voice and directness in songwriting power her country/folk-rock quartet. Actual Wolf is appearing solo, singing his songs that evoke early Dylan and 70s country rock. Fathom Lane is the creation of Michael Ferrier, formerly of the electro-jazz group Electropolis. With the help of Ashleigh Still (vocals, keys), Brian Roessler (bass), and Pete Hennig (drums) among others, he’s created a album of haunting tunes.

Friday, December 21

Chicago Afrobeat Project & Malamanya @ 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis. 9pm ($12) An evening of outstanding music. The Chicago Afrobeat Project is an 8 piece group that melds the dense sound of Afrobeat with its own take on the Chicago music scene. Opener Malamanya has set many a feet to dancing with its take on Cuban dance beats.

Cool Disposition’s Final Gig @ Neumann’s, North Saint Paul. 9pm After thirteen years, three CDs, a trip to the International Blues Challenge, and numerous bar and festival appearances, this is the last time you’ll get to hear the Dispos. Mickey Bauer, vocals; Hurricane Harold Tremblay, harmonica; Greg Beach, bass, Dan Scwalbe, guitar; and Marty Bryduck drums; have provided the Twin Cities with some jumpin’ and swingin’ blues over the years, and this is where it happened most. The fact that it’s the end of the Mayan calendar has nothing to do with this being their last gig.

King Baron @ The Red Stag, Minneapolis. 10:30pm (No Cover) Take a couple of guys from the Brass Messengers (Paul Fonfara and Scotty Anderson), and add Andy Hakala from the Southside Aces, and you get some Dixielandish street music.

For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the Minnesota Blues Society calendar. For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar.